Top players fight it out on Mbombela tennis courts
On the weekend of September 9 to 11, the Lowveld welcomed competitors to its second Tennis South Africa (TSA) tournament in as many months.
Matches were played at various venues across Mbombela.
There was no denying that summer was almost here, with temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius for all three days.
The tournament was sponsored by
Sonpark Shopping Centre.
In the boys’ U12 draw, two Lowvelders competed for the title. Evan Jacobs overcame Khaya Chinyangue 6-3, 6-3 in the final.
In the gold draw, David Mullins narrowly defeated Brent Bethell, 5-7, 6-0, 10-4, for the title.
Another pair of Lowvelders dominated the doubles’ court, where Joshua Hoffman and Yusuf Packery defeated Siyanda Mongwe and Vuyo Ndlovu in the final.
Old rivals, Milan van Heerden and Simoné Swart, squared up once again in the girls’ U12 singles’ final. Milan prevailed with a 6-3, 6-2 win, but Simoné paired up with Hestie Wheeler for revenge in the doubles, defeating Milan and Shayna Lea 6-3, 4-6, 11-9 in the final.
The final of the boys’ U14 event was also an all-Lowveld affair. JP Snyman proving too strong for Etienne Swart, winning 6-0, 6-1. JP paired up with Reinhard Grobler to defeat Etienne and Noah Snell 6-2, 6-4 in the doubles’ final.
In the girls’ U14 draw, Mire Grobler was in devastating form, winning her final against Khensani Moraba 6-0, 6-2. Khensani did taste victory on the doubles’ court, however, when she teamed up with Sello Bokamoso to defeat Keitsumetse Mailula and Amani Nomani 6-2, 6-2 in the final.
In the the women’s singles’ event multiple Nelspruit Tennis Club champion, Jeanetha Boshoff, overcame her younger rival, Chané Steyn, winning the final 6-1, 6-3. The doubles was won by another club member, Anso Thormahlen, who teamed up with Shoeshoe Mahlaku to defeat Azelle du Preez and Anja Wheeler 6-1, 6-1 in the final.
Lastly, the men’s final was a contest between Wernich Rossouw of Secunda and Luke Clifton of Gauteng East. The younger Rossouw prevailed 6-2, 6-2 for the title. Clifton was to have his taste of victory, however, teaming up with Neal Redfern to defeat Alexander Combrinck and Schalk Schutte 6-1, 6-2 in the final.
On Saturday, the younger competitors competed in the Rainbow Kidz event for U10s at Curro.
“I would like to thank all the players and parents for braving the exceptional heat this past weekend, and for the good behaviour and sportsmanship showed on the courts throughout,” said the tournament director, Eckhardt van der Linde.
“Special thanks to Sonpark Shopping Centre for its wonderful support of the tournament, and to the organisers and officials for their tireless efforts in ensuring a well-run event.”